9-Arylimino-8 thia-1,6-Duzafucyclo[4.3.0] nomane-7-one (and thione) herbicides

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are herbicidal compounds, compositions containing them, and a method of use for the compositions in controlling undesired plant growth. The herbicidal compounds are compounds of the formula ##STR1## in which W is S or O and Z-Ph is a substituted phenyl group in which Z is -C(R)═Q; R is H, lower alkyl, or aryl; Q is NR&#39; or oxygen; R&#39; is alkoxy, hydroxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonloxy, trialkylsilyloxy, arylalkoxy, aryl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or a group of the formula --SO 2  R&#34;, --OCO 2  R&#34;, OC(O)NHR&#34;, or --CH 2  CO 2  R&#34;; and R&#34; is lower alkyl or aryl. The phenyl moiety Ph is advantageously multisubstituted.

This invention relates to herbicidal compounds of the following formula ##STR2## where

W is S or O and Z-Ph represents a substituted phenyl group having a Z substituent of the formula --C(R)═Q where

R is H, lower alkyl (e.g. methyl), or aryl such as phenyl optionally substituted with halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, nitro, or cyano;

Q is NR' or oxygen;

R' is alkoxy (e.g. methoxy or ethoxy), hydroxy, alkenyloxy (e.g. allyloxy), alkynyloxy (e.g. propargyloxy), alkylcarbonyloxy (e.g. acetoxy), arylcarbonyloxy (e.g. phenylcarbonyloxy), trialkylsilyloxy (e.g. t-butyl)dimethylsilyloxy), arylalkoxy (e.g. benzyloxy), aryl (e.g. phenyl), alkyl, cycloalkyl (e.g. of 3 to 7 carbon atoms), or a group of the formula --SO₂ R", --OCO₂ R", --OC(O)NHR", or --CH₂ CO₂ R"; and R" is lower alkyl or aryl such as phenyl optionally substituted with halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, nitro, or cyano.

Preferably Z is at a meta position (e.g. the 5-position) on the phenyl ring. Most preferably Z-Ph has the formula ##STR3## in which the substituent X may be hydrogen; halogen such as chlorine, bromine, or fluorine (preferably fluorine); alkyl such as lower alkyl (e.g. methyl); haloalkyl such as halo lower alkyl (e.g. CF₃, CH₂ F or CHF₂); alkoxy such as lower alkoxy (e.g. methoxy); or nitro; and Y may be hydrogen; halogen such as chlorine, bromine, or fluorine (preferably bromine or chlorine); alkyl such as lower alkyl (e.g. methyl); alkoxy such as lower alkoxy (e.g. methoxy); haloalkyl such as halo lower alkyl (e.g. fluoroalkyl); halo lower alkylsulfinyl (e.g. --SOCF₃); or halo lower alkoxy (e.g. --OCHF₂). Presently preferred X, Y substituents are: 2-F, 4-Cl; 2-F, 4-Br; 2,4-Cl; 2-Br, 4-Cl; and 2-F, 4-CF₃.

In each aspect of the invention, it is often preferable that any alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or alkylene radical have less than 6 carbon atoms. Any aryl includes phenyl which is optionally substituted, for example, with halogen (F, Cl, Br), alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, nitro, or cyano.

Representative compounds according to the invention are shown in Table 1 below.

The compounds of this invention may be prepared by the use of steps generally described in the literature or by methods analogous or similar thereto and within the skill of the art. In the Example below (during Step B), an arylamine is treated to form the corresponding aryl isothiocyanate (e.g. by reaction with thiophosgene in the presence of triethylamine or pyridine). Without the need for purifying the isothiocyanate, it is reacted with perhydropyridazine (in its salt form, e.g. a hydroiodide salt, in the presence of triethylamine in a solvent such as methylene chloride) to form a compound of the formula ##STR4## The compound of formula III is then reacted (in Step C in the Example below) with phosgene or thiophosgene (in the presence of pyridine in a solvent such as methylene chloride) to form a compound of the formula ##STR5## In the process in the Example below, the arylamine, which is reacted to form the arylisothiocyanate, carries the same substituents (X, Y and Z) as the final product. However, such substituents may instead by introduced or modified at various stages of the process.

This invention is illustrated further in the following Example. In this application, all parts are by weight and all temperatures are in °C. unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLE 9-(4-Chloro-2-fluoro-5-methoxyiminomethylphenyl)imino-8-thia-1,6-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane-7-thione Step A 2-Chloro-4-fluoro-5-nitrobenzaldehyde

Nitration of 10.0 g (0.0640 mole) of 2-chloro-4-fluorobenzaldehyde with 4 mL of fuming nitric acid and 25 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid in 25 mL of methylene chloride produced 11.9 g of 2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-nitrobenzaldehyde as an oil.

The nmr spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure.

Step B N-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-methoxyiminomethylphenylaminothiocarbonyl)perhydropyridazine

To a stirred, cold (0° C.) solution of 1.2 g (0.015 mole, 4.8 g of an aqueous 25% solution) of methoxylamine hydrochloride in 15 mL of ethanol was added 0.6 g (0.015 mole) of sodium hydroxide. A solution of 3.0 g (0.015 mole) of 2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-nitrobenzaldehyde in 15 mL of ethanol was added dropwise to the reaction mixture. The resulting mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred for ten minutes. An additional 0.25 g (1.0 g of an aqueous 25% solution) of methoxylamine hydrochloride was added, and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was partitioned between diethyl ether and water. The organic phase was separated, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to leave a liquid residue. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, and the solution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and recovered by filtration.

The filtrate was transferred to a Parr hydrogenation apparatus bottle. The organic solution was subjected to hydrogenation conditions for one hour. The reaction mixture was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and was filtered. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to give 4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-methoxyiminomethylaniline as a dark semi-solid residue.

The residue was dissolved in methylene chloride to which was added 10 mL of triethylamine and 1.2 mL of thiophosgene, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for approximately 18 hours. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure leaving a residue. The residue was stirred in a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-heptane. The insoluble amine salts were removed by filtration and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to give 4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-methoxyiminomethylphenyl isothiocyanate as a residue.

The residue was dissolved in methylene chloride, and the solution was added dropwise to a stirred, ice-cold solution of approximately 1.2 g (0.014 mole) of perhydropyridazine hydroiodide and approximately 1.5 g (0.015 mole) of triethylamine in approximately 30 mL of methylene chloride. After complete addition, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred for two days. The solvent was removed from the mixture by evaporation under reduced pressure leaving a residue. The residue was partitioned between methylene chloride and water, and the organic phase was washed with dilute hydrochloric acid. The organic phase was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and was filtered. The filtrate was treated with decolorizing charcoal and was filtered. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure leaving a brown oil. The oil was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with ethyl acetate:n-heptane (35:65), to give 0.6 g of N-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-methoxyiminomethylphenylaminothiocarbonyl)perhydropyridazine as a solid.

The nmr spectrum was consistent with the desired product.

Step C 9-(4-Chloro-2-fluoro-5-methoxyiminomethylphenyl)imino-8-thia-1,6-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane-7-thione

While maintaining a reaction temperature of -5° C., 0.43 g (0.0054 mole) of pyridine was added dropwise to a stirred solution of 0.60 g (0.0018 mole) of N(4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-methyliminomethoxyphenylaminothiocarbonyl)perhydropyridazine in 30 mL of methylene chloride. To this mixture was added dropwise 0.21 g (0.0018 mole) of thiophosgene. This mixture was stirred at -5° C. for 30 minutes. It was then allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred for approximately 18 hours. The reaction mixture was washed first with dilute hydrochloric acid and then with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride. The organic phase was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure leaving a solid residue. The residue was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel, and appropriate fractions were collected and combined to give 0.28 g of 9-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-methoxyiminomethylphenyl)imino-8-thia-1,6-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane-7-thione as a solid, mp 128°-133° C.

The ir and nmr spectra were consistent with the proposed structure.

In tests and pre- and postemergence herbicidal activity, as described below, the following results (expressed in percent control) were obtained when the compound of this Example was applied at a rate of 0.125 kg/ha:

    ______________________________________                                                      Preemergent                                                                             Postemergent                                             ______________________________________                                         Cotton         10         100                                                  Soybean        40         100                                                  Corn           20         40                                                   Rice           10         30                                                   Wheat          20         30                                                   Morningglory   80         95                                                   Wild Mustard   --         100                                                  Velvetleaf     100        100                                                  Barnyardgrass  95         95                                                   Green Foxtail  95         100                                                  Johnsongrass   95         80                                                   ______________________________________                                    

HERBICIDAL ACTIVITY

The plant test species used in demonstrating the herbicidal activity of compounds of this invention include cotton (Gossypium hirsutum var. DPLGI), soybean (Glycine max var. Williams), field corn (Zea mays var. Pioneer 3732), wheat (Triticum aestivium var. Wheaton), rice (Oryza sativa var. Labelle), morningglory (Ipomea lacumosa or Ipomea hederacea), wild mustard (Brassica kaber), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli), green foxtail (Setaria viridis), and johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense).

Preparation of Flats

Preemergence:

Two disposable fiber flats (8 cm×15 cm×25 cm) for each rate of application for each candidate herbicide for preemergence testing are filled to an approximate depth of 6.5 cm with steam sterilized sandy loam soil. The soil is leveled and impressed with a template to provide six evenly spaced furrows 13 cm long and 0.5 cm deep in each flat. Seeds of cotton, soybean, corn, rice and wheat are planted in five of the furrows of the first flat (the sixth furrow is left unplanted), and seeds of wild mustard, morningglory, velvetleaf, barnyardgrass, green foxtail, and johnsongrass are planted in the six furrows of the second flat. The template is again employed to firmly press the seeds into place. A topping soil of equal portions of sand and sandy loam soil is placed uniformly on top of each flat to a depth of approximately 0.5 cm. The flats are first watered, then sprayed with a solution of test compound as described below.

Postemergence:

Two flats for each rate of application for each herbicide candidate are also prepared for postemergence application. The postemergence flats are prepared in the same manner as discussed above for the preemergence flats. The prepared flats are watered for 8-11 days, then the foliage of the emerged tests plants is sprayed with a solution of test compound as described below.

Application of Herbicides

In both the preemergence and postemergence tests, the candidate herbicides are applied as aqueous acetone solutions, usually at rates equivalent to 8.0 kilograms/hectare (kg/ha) and/or submultiples thereof, i.e., 4.0 kg/ha, 2.0 kg/ha, and so on.

The four flats (2 preemergence, 2 postemergence) are placed together and sprayed with 30 mL of test solution containing an appropriate amount of the test compound, i.e., approximately 7.5 mL of the test solution is sprayed on each of the four flats. Preemergence applications are made as sprays to the soil surface. Postemergence applications are made as sprays to the foliage. After treatment, the two preemergence flats are watered regularly at the soil surface for approximately 2 weeks, at which time phytotoxicity data are recorded. In the postemergence test the foliage is kept dry for 24 hours after treatment, then watered regularly for approximately 2 weeks, and phytotoxicity data recorded.

Preparation of Test Solutions

For flats of the size described above, an application rate of 8.0 kg/ha of active ingredient is equivalent to 0.06 g of active ingredient/flat (0.24 g/4 flats). A stock solution of 0.48 g of the candidate herbicide in 60 mL of a 50:50 mixture of water and acetone containing 0.5% (v/v) of sorbitan monolaurate emulsifier/solubilizer is divided into two 30 mL portions, each containing 0.24 g of the candidate herbicide. For the 8.0 kg/ha application, one of the 30 mL portions is sprayed undiluted onto the four flats (7.5 mL/flat). The remaining 30 mL portion of the stock solution is diluted with an additional 30 mL of the aqueous acetone/emulsifier mixture to provide 60 mL of a solution containing 0.24 g of candidate herbicide. As above, this solution is divided into two 30 mL portions, each containing 0.12 g of candidate herbicide. One of the 30 mL portions is applied, without further dilution, to the four flats for the 4.0 kg/ha rate. The remaining 30 mL portion is further diluted with an equal amount of aqueous acetone/emulsifier mixture, and the resulting 60 mL solution of 0.12 g candidate herbicide is divided into two 30 mL portions each containing 0.06 g of candidate herbicide. One of the 30 mL (0.06 g active) portions is used for the 2.0 kg/ha application rate and the other is used in the preparation of lower rate test solutions by the same serial dilution technique.

Phytotoxicity data are taken as percent control. Percent control is determined by a method similar to the 0 to 100 rating system disclosed in "Research Methods in Weed Science," 2nd ed., B. Truelove, Ed.; Southern Weed Science Society; Auburn University, Auburn, Ala., 1977. The rating system is as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Herbicide Rating System                                                        Rating Description                                                             Percent                                                                               of Main    Crop          Weed                                           Control                                                                               Categories Description   Description                                    ______________________________________                                         0      No effect  No crop       No weed                                                          reduction     control                                                          or injury                                                    10                Slight dis-   Very poor weed                                                   coloration    control                                                          or stunting                                                  20     Slight     Some dis-     Poor weed                                             effect     coloration,   control                                                          stunting or                                                                    stand loss                                                   30                Crop injury   Poor to defi-                                                    more pronounced                                                                              cient weed                                                       but not lasting                                                                              control                                        40                Moderate injury,                                                                             Deficient weed                                                   crop usually  control                                                          recovers                                                     50     Moderate   Crop injury   Deficient to                                          effect     more lasting, moderate weed                                                    recovery doubt-                                                                              control                                                          ful                                                          60                Lasting crop  Moderate weed                                                    injury, no    control                                                          recovery                                                     70                Heavy injury and                                                                             Control some-                                                    stand loss    what less than                                                                 satisfactory                                   80     Severe     Crop nearly des-                                                                             Satisfactory                                                     troyed, a few to good weed                                                     survivors     control                                        90                Only occasional                                                                              Very good to                                                     live plants left                                                                             excellent                                                                      control                                        100    Complete   Complete crop Complete weed                                         effect     destruction   destruction                                    ______________________________________                                    

For herbicidal application, the active compounds are formulated into herbicidal compositions by admixture in herbicidally effective amounts with adjuvants and carriers normally employed in the art for facilitating the dispersion of active ingredients for the particular utility desired, recognizing the fact that the formulation and mode of application of a toxicant may affect the activity of the material in a given application. Thus, for agricultural use the present herbicidal compounds may be formulated as granules of relatively large particle size, as water-soluble or water-dispersible granules, as powdery dusts, as wettable powders, as emulsifiable concentrates, as solutions, or as any of several other known types of formulations, depending on the desired mode of application.

These herbicidal compositions may be applied either as water-diluted sprays, or dusts, or granules to the areas in which suppression of vegetation is desired. These formulations may contain as little as 0.1%, 0.2% or 0.5% to as much as 95% or more by weight of active ingredient.

Dusts are free flowing admixtures of the active ingredient with finely divided solids such as talc, natural clays, kieselguhr, flours such as walnut shell and cottonseed flours, and other organic and inorganic solids which act as dispersants and carriers for the toxicant; these finely divided solids have an average particle size of less than about 50 microns. A typical dust formulation useful herein is one containing 1.0 part or less of the herbicidal compound and 99.0 parts of talc.

Wettable powders, also useful formulations for both pre- and postemergence herbicides, are in the form of finely divided particles which disperse readily in water or other dispersant. The wettable powder is ultimately applied to the soil either as a dry dust or as an emulsion in water or other liquid. Typical carriers for wettable powders include Fuller's earth, kaolin clays, silicas, and other highly absorbent, readily wet inorganic diluents. Wettable powders normally are prepared to contain about 5-80% of active ingredient, depending on the absorbency of the carrier, and usually also contain a small amount of a wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agent to facilitate dispersion. For example, a useful wettable powder formulation contains 80.8 parts of the herbicidal compound 17.9 parts of Palmetto clay, and 1.0 part of sodium lignosulfonate and 0.3 part of sulfonated aliphatic polyester as wetting agents. Other wettable powder formulations are:

    ______________________________________                                         Component:       % by Wt.                                                      ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient                                                                               40.00                                                         Sodium lignosulfonate                                                                           20.00                                                         Attapulgite clay 40.00                                                         Total            100.00                                                        ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                         Component:           % by Wt.                                                  ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient    90.00                                                     Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate                                                                       0.10                                                      Synthetic fine silica                                                                               9.90                                                      Total                100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                         Component:           % by Wt.                                                  ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient    20.00                                                     Sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate                                                                    4.00                                                      Sodium lignosulfonate                                                                               4.00                                                      Low viscosity methyl cellulose                                                                      3.00                                                      Attapulgite clay     69.00                                                     Total                100.0                                                     ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                         Component:                % by Wt.                                             ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient          25.00                                               Base:                      75.00                                               96%  hydrated aluminum magnesium silicate                                       2%  powdered sodium lignosulfonate                                             2%  powdered anionic sodium alkyl-                                                 naphthalenesulfonate                                                           Total                    100.00                                           ______________________________________                                    

Frequently, additional wetting agent and/or oil will be added to the tank-mix for postemergence application to facilitate dispersion on the foliage and absorption by the plant.

Other useful formulations for herbicidal applications are emulsifiable concentrates (ECs) which are homogeneous liquid or paste compositions dispersible in water or other dispersant, and may consist entirely of the herbicidal compound and a liquid or solid emulsifying agent, or may also contain a liquid carrier, such as xylene, heavy aromatic naphthas, isophorone, or other non-volatile organic solvent. For herbicidal application these concentrates are dispersed in water or other liquid carrier, and normally applied as a spray to the area to be treated. The percentage by weight of the essential active ingredient may vary according to the manner in which the composition is to be applied, but in general comprises 0.5 to 95% of active ingredient by weight of the herbicidal composition.

The following are specific examples of emulsifiable concentrate formulations:

    ______________________________________                                         Component:           % by Wt.                                                  ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient    53.01                                                     Blend of alkylnaphthalenesulfonate                                                                  6.00                                                      and polyoxyethylene ethers                                                     Epoxidized soybean oil                                                                              1.00                                                      Xylene               39.99                                                     Total                100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                         Component:           % by Wt.                                                  ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient    10.00                                                     Blend of alkylnaphthalenesulfonate                                                                  4.00                                                      and polyoxyethylene ethers                                                     Xylene               86.00                                                     Total                100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                    

Flowable formulations are similar to ECs except that the active ingredient is suspended in a liquid carrier, generally water. Flowables, like ECs, may include a small amount of a surfactant, and contain active ingredient in the range of 0.5 to 95%, frequently from 10 to 50%, by weight of the composition. For application, flowables may be diluted in water or other liquid vehicle, and are normally applied as a spray to the area to be treated.

The following are specific examples of flowable formulations:

    ______________________________________                                         Component:             % by Wt.                                                ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient      46.00                                                   Colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate                                                                 0.40                                                    Sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate                                                                      2.00                                                    Paraformaldehyde       0.10                                                    Water                  40.70                                                   Propylene glycol       7.50                                                    Acetylenic alcohols    2.50                                                    Xanthan gum            0.80                                                    Total                  100.0                                                   ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                         Component:           % by Wt.                                                  ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient    45.00                                                     Water                48.50                                                     Purified smectite clay                                                                              2.00                                                      Xanthan gum          0.50                                                      Sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate                                                                    1.00                                                      Acetylenic alcohols  3.00                                                      Total                100.00                                                    ______________________________________                                    

Typical wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agents used in agricultural formulations include, but are not limited to, the alkyl and alkylaryl sulfonates and sulfates and their sodium salts; alkylaryl polyether alcohols; sulfated higher alcohols; polyethylene oxides; sulfonated animal and vegetable oils; sulfonated petroleum oils; fatty acid esters of polyhydric alcohols and the ethylene oxide addition products of such esters; and the addition product of long-chain mercaptans and ethylene oxide. Many other types of useful surface-active agents are available in commerce. The surface-active agent, when used, normally comprises from 1 to 15% by weight of the composition.

Other useful formulations include simple solutions or suspensions of the active ingredient in a relatively non-volatile solvent such as water, corn oil, kerosene, propylene glycol, or other suitable solvents. The following illustrate specific suspensions:

    ______________________________________                                         Oil Suspension:        % by Wt.                                                ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient      25.00                                                   Polyoxyethylene sorbitol hexaoleate                                                                   5.00                                                    Highly aliphatic hydrocarbon oil                                                                      70.00                                                   Total                  100.00                                                  ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                         Aqueous Suspension:      % by Wt.                                              ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient        40.00                                                 Polyacrylic acid thickener                                                                              0.30                                                  Dodecylphenol polyethylene glycol ether                                                                 0.50                                                  Disodium phosphate       1.00                                                  Monosodium phosphate     0.50                                                  Polyvinyl alcohol        1.00                                                  Water                    56.70                                                 Total                    100.00                                                ______________________________________                                    

Other useful formulations for herbicidal applications include simple solutions of the active ingredient in a solvent in which it is completely soluble at the desired concentration, such as acetone, alkylated naphthalenes, xylene, or other organic solvents. Granular formulations, wherein the toxicant is carried on relatively coarse particles, are of particular utility for aerial distribution or for penetration of cover crop canopy. Pressurized sprays, typically aerosols wherein the active ingredient is dispersed in finely divided form as a result of vaporization of a low boiling dispersant solvent carrier, such as the Freon fluorinated hydrocarbons, may also be used. Water-soluble or water-dispersible granules are also useful formulations for herbicidal application of the present compounds. Such granular formulations are free-flowing, non-dusty, and readily water-soluble or water-miscible. The soluble or dispersible granular formulations described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,920,442 are useful herein with the present herbicidal compounds. In use by the farmer on the field, the granular formulations, emulsifiable concentrates, flowable concentrates, solutions, etc., may be diluted with water to give a concentration of active ingredient in the range of say 0.1% or 0.2% to 1.5% or 2%.

The active herbicidal compounds of this invention may be formulated and/or applied with insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, plant growth regulators, fertilizers, or other agricultural chemicals and may be used as effective soil sterilants as well as selective herbicides in agriculture. In applying an active compound of this invention, whether formulated alone or with other agricultural chemicals, an effective amount and concentration of the active compound is of course employed; the amount may be as low as, e.g. about 1 to 250 g/ha, preferably about 4 to 30 g/ha. For field use, where there are losses of herbicide, higher application rates (e.g. four times the rates mentioned above) may be employed.

The active herbicidal compounds of this invention may be used in combination with other herbicides, e.g. they may be mixed with, say, an equal or larger amount of a known herbicide such as chloroacetanilide herbicides such as 2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide (alachlor), 2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide (metolachlor), and N-chloroacetyl-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)glycine (diethatyl-ethyl); benzothiadiazinone herbicides such as 3-(1-methylethyl)-(1H)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4-(3H)-one-2,2-dioxide (bentazon); triazine herbicides such as 6-chloro-N-ethyl-N-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (atrazine), and 2-[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-1,3,5-triazine-2-yl]amino-2-methylpropanenitrile (cyanazine); dinitroaniline herbicides such as 2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzeneamine (trifluralin); aryl urea herbicides such as N'-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N,N-dimethylurea (diuron) and N,N-dimethyl-N'-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]urea (fluometuron); and 2-[(2-chlorophenyl)methyl]-4,4-dimethyl-3-isoxazolidinone.

It is apparent that various modifications may be made in the formulation and application of the compounds of this invention without departing from the inventive concepts herein as defined in the claims.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR6##                                                                      Cmpd No. X      Y         Z                                                    ______________________________________                                         1        F      Cl        CHNOCH.sub.3                                         2        F      Cl        CHNOH                                                3        F      Cl        CHNOC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                  4        F      Cl        CHNOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                       5        F      Cl        CHNO-cyclopentyl                                     6        F      Cl        CHNO-cyclohexyl                                      7        F      Cl        CHNOCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                         8        F      Cl        CHNOCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.4 Cl(2)                   9        F      Cl        CHNOC.sub.6 H.sub.5                                  10       F      Cl        CHNOC.sub.6 H.sub.4 Cl(4)                            11       F      Cl        CHNOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                12       F      Cl        CHNOC(O)CH.sub.3                                     13       F      Cl        CHNOC(O)CH.sub.2 Cl                                  14       F      Cl        CHNOC(O)CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                     15       F      Cl        CHNOCH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                              16       F      Cl        CH NOCH.sub.2 C CH                                   17       F      Cl        CHNOC(O)C.sub.6 H.sub.5                              18       F      Cl        CHNOC(O)C.sub.6 H.sub.4 Cl(4)                        19       F      Cl        CHNOSi(CH.sub.3).sub.2 C(CH.sub.3).sub.3             20       F      Cl        CHNOSO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                21       F      Cl        CHNOSO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                         22       F      Cl        CHNOCO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                23       F      Cl        CHNOCO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                         24       F      Cl        CHNOCO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                         25       F      Cl        CHNOC(O)NHCH.sub.3                                   26       F      Cl        CHNOC(O)NHC.sub.6 H.sub.5                            27       F      Cl        CHNC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                   28       F      Cl        CHNC.sub.6 H.sub.5                                   29       F      Cl        CHN-cyclopentyl                                      30       F      Cl        CHNCH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                 31       F      Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NOH                                       32       F      Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NOCH.sub.3                                33       F      Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NOC.sub.6 H.sub.5                         34       F      Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NOCH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                35       F      Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NOCO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                36       F      Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NOSO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                37       F      Cl        C(CH.sub. 3)NOCH.sub.2 C CH                          38       F      Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NOCH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                     39       F      Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NOC(O)NHCH.sub.3                          40       F      Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NC.sub.2 H.sub.5                          41       F      Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NC.sub.6 H.sub.5                          42       F      Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NOC(O)CH.sub.3                            43       F      Cl        C(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)NOH                                44       F      Cl        C(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)NOCH.sub.3                         45       F      Cl        C(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)NOCH.sub.2 C CH                    46       F      Cl        C(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)NOSO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                47       F      Cl        C(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)NOC(O)NHCH.sub.3                   48       F      Cl        C(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)NOC(O)NHC.sub.6 H.sub.5            49       F      Cl        C(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)NC.sub.2 H.sub.5                   50       Cl     Cl        CHNOCH.sub.3                                         51       Cl     Cl        CHNOH                                                52       Cl     Cl        CHNOCO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                         53       Cl     Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NOCH.sub.3                                54       Cl     Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NOH                                       55       F      Br        CHNOCH.sub.3                                         56       Br     Cl        CHNOCH.sub.3                                         57       Cl     Cl        C(CH.sub. 3)NC.sub.6 H.sub.5                         58       Cl     Cl        CHNOSO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                         59       Cl     Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NOSO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                60       Cl     Cl        C(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)NOCH.sub.3                         61       F      CF.sub.3  CHNOCH.sub.3                                         62       F      CF.sub.3  C(CH.sub.3)NOCH.sub.3                                63       F      NO.sub.2  CHNOCH.sub.3                                         64       Cl     CF.sub.3  CHNOCH.sub.3                                         65       Cl     OCHF.sub.2                                                                               CHNOCH.sub.3                                         66       F      OCHF.sub.2                                                                               CHNOCH.sub.3                                         67       F      OCHF.sub.2                                                                               CHNOC(O)CH.sub.3                                     68       F      OCHF.sub.2                                                                               C(CH.sub.3)NOCH.sub.3                                69       Cl     CF.sub.3  C(C.sub.6 H.sub.5)NOCH.sub.3                         70       Cl     Cl        C(CH.sub.3)NOCH.sub.2 C CH                           71       F      Cl        CHO                                                  72       Cl     Cl        CHO                                                  73       F      CF.sub.3  CHO                                                  74       F      NO.sub.2  C(O)CH.sub.3                                         75       F      Cl        C(O)CH.sub.3                                         76       Cl     Cl        C(O)CH.sub.3                                         77       F      OCHF.sub.2                                                                               C(O)C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                  78       F      Cl        C(O)C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                  79       Cl     Cl        C(O)C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                  ______________________________________                                    

Other representative compounds are those which are identical with Compounds 1-79 except that W is oxygen. 

I claim:
 1. A herbicidal compound of the formula ##STR7## in which W is S or O;X is hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, halo lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, or nitro; Y is hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halo lower alkyl, halo lower alkylsulfinyl, or halo lower alkoxy; Z is a substituent of the formula --C(R)═Q in which R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or unsubstituted or substituted phenyl; Q is NR' or oxygen, with the proviso that when R is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl Q is not oxygen; R' is lower alkoxy, hydroxy, lower alkenyloxy, lower alkynyloxy, lower alkylcarbonyloxy, unsubstituted or substitued phenyl carbonyloxy, lower trialkylsilyloxy, phenyl lower alkoxy in which the phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl of 3 to 7 carbon atoms, or a group of the formula --SO₂ R", --OCO₂ R", --OC(O)NHR", or --CH₂ CO₂ R"; R" is lower alkyl, or unsubstituted or substituted phenyl; and the substituents on the phenyl rings are independently selected from halogen, lower alkyl, halo lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halo lower alkoxy, nitro, and cyano.
 2. The compound of claim 1 in which W is sulfur.
 3. The compound of claim 2 in which X and Y are respectively, F, Cl; F, Br; Cl, Cl; Br, Cl; or F, CF₃.
 4. The compound of claim 3 in which X and Y are respectively F, Cl or Cl, Cl.
 5. The compound of claim 4 in which Z is --C(R)═O.
 6. The compound of claim 4 in which Z is --C(R)═NR'.
 7. The compound of claim 6 in which R is hydrogen or methyl.
 8. The compound of claim 7 in which R' is lower alkoxy.
 9. An herbicidal composition comprising an herbicidally effective amount of a compound of claim 1 in admixture with a suitable carrier.
 10. A method for controlling undesired plant growth which comprises applying to the locus where control is desired an herbicidally effective amount of the composition of claim
 9. 